Taking care of indoor plants is one of the most rewarding things you can do as a gardener. These plants can beautify a space, provide you with fresh air, and even provide you with an income if you sell them. But there are a few things you need to consider when taking care of indoor plants.

Adjusting levels of humidity

Keeping your indoor plants in the proper humidity levels is essential to their success. If the air is too dry, it can harm the plant tissue. It can also cause static electricity, which can damage electronics. Fortunately, there are several methods to keep humidity levels in check.

First, you need to determine what type of plant you have. Some plants, such as orchids, require higher humidity levels than others. Also, the type of house you live in can have an impact on the humidity level in your room.

Keeping your plants away from radiant heated floors and doorways can reduce the humidity level in your room. A decorative water feature in your room may also improve the humidity in your room.

A hygrometer is a great way to measure the relative humidity in your room. This is the best way to determine what is the right humidity level for your plants.

You may have to experiment with various methods to see which one works best for you. You can start by placing your plants in your bathroom for a couple of days. This will give the plant a chance to recover from the dry air in your home.

You can also increase the humidity in your room by boiling water in the kitchen. Kitchens tend to be very dry during the day, but are often humid at night and during mealtimes.

You may also want to consider using a humidifier. Although it is not recommended as a long term solution to your humidity problem, it may be necessary to keep your plants in the proper levels.

In addition, you can try a humidity-boosting terrarium. A terrarium is a contained environment that contains plants, light bulbs, vases, and other items that simulate an outdoor setting.

Adjusting levels of light

Having the right amount of light is crucial for thriving indoor plants. Too little light may cause plants to suffocate or become stunted, while too much light can hurt plants. With this guide, you’ll learn how to get the most out of your plant’s lighting.

First, you’ll need to know which direction your window faces. East and west-facing windows will receive less direct sunlight. This is not necessarily a bad thing, but it does mean that you will need to position your plant to take advantage of a change in light throughout the year.

Next, you’ll need to use the light meters to determine the best way to position your plants. Most plants will tolerate low lighting, while others are not suited to it. You may want to use light meters that measure foot-candles. If you’re lucky, you may have a light meter that measures the luminous sign, which is a fancy way of saying light intensity.

In addition to the light meters, you may want to use a shadow test to determine how much light your plant will receive. This can be done by holding a piece of paper up to your window at midday. The shadow will be soft, but it will still be a good indicator of how much light your plant will receive.

In addition to the shadow test, you can also use a free light meter app on your smartphone. This can be downloaded for free from apps like Luminous Meter. Using this app, you can determine your plant’s lighting needs and how to get the most out of your plant’s lights.

Finally, you should know that plants can tolerate bad lighting for a short period of time. This is often the case with foliage plants, which can be injured by strong light.

Choosing a potting mix

Choosing a potting mix for indoor plants is a matter of selecting a mix that will provide the right amount of moisture, nutrients, and air space for your plants. Choosing a mix can be overwhelming. There are so many varieties available, it can be hard to know which one is right for your plant.

A good potting mix should be porous and fluffy, not compacted when wet. It should contain peat moss, perlite, and vermiculite. Some potting mixes include a slow-release fertilizer.

A potting mix for indoor plants can be purchased at big box stores and nurseries. Most nurseries carry special mixes for specific plant types. The best ones have special additives and benefits.

For plants that have aerial roots, like orchids, the best mix will provide air space for the roots to attach to. If the roots can’t get air, the plant may die. A good mix will also allow the roots to remain moist and drier than if they are in a compacted, soil-based mix.

In addition to the above-mentioned tips, understanding your plants’ native habitat can help you choose a potting mix. For example, some plants require a wetter, humid environment, while others prefer a dry soil. If you’re not sure whether your plant needs extra humidity, water the plant regularly and check the label to determine if it’s a moisture-retentive type.

You’ll also want to check the ingredients on the bag. Some potting mixes contain compost, wetting agents, and other beneficial microbes. These additives can be beneficial for your plants, but may also increase the acidity of the soil.

Many indoor plants, including cactus and succulents, need a soil that holds moisture well. Potting mixes with perlite or vermiculite will help to keep moisture locked in the soil.

Trimming

Using the right tools and techniques is key to trimming indoor plants. For instance, it is important to use sharp tools and not sloppy cuts that will encourage pests and disease.

Some houseplants can benefit from major pruning while others require a more gradual approach. The best time to prune is right at the beginning of the growing season. It is also important to check for latent buds on the stem. This will allow the plant to focus on healthy leaves instead of diseased ones.

For most houseplants, cutting back dead leaves is a good way to encourage growth. This will reduce overall density of the plant, which helps with airflow. It will also encourage new growth.

Pruning houseplants is a bit like grooming a pet. It can help keep the plant’s shape and size right for the space. You can use a sharp knife or a pair of kitchen scissors. It is also important to make sure that your cuts are clean.

If you have a succulent plant, you might want to prune off the succulent leaves. You can also prune off the succulent clippings and replant them in the soil.

Some plants require a more aggressive pruning style. This involves cutting back large stems as close to the base as possible. Leaving some stems intact can encourage new growth. It is also important to note that hard pruning should not reduce the plant’s volume more than 25 percent.

The simplest way to prune indoor plants is to use a sharp pair of scissors. A pair of pruning shears is best for thick branches. It can also be helpful to use colored tape to mark branches.

Pest control

Keeping indoor plants is a great way to enhance your surroundings. But pest control can be a challenge. The first step is to identify the problem.

Pests can include ants, spider mites, whiteflies, mealybugs, and more. Some of these pests can be treated with pesticides, which are used to kill bacteria or fungi. Others are treated with organic insecticides.

If you notice a sticky substance on the leaves or surfaces under your plants, you may have an infestation. This sticky substance is known as honeydew. Inspect your plants thoroughly for signs of infestation.

Aphids are tiny insects that can cover your plants in a few days. These insects are sap-sucking pests. They lay eggs in the soil and feed on the plant’s nutrients.

Fungus gnats are small insects that look like mosquitoes. They are found in excessively moist soil. They can cause growth problems on young plants. Using insecticidal soap can help control fungus gnats.

Other types of insects include scale insects. These insects can look like small bumps on the stems. They feed on the sap of the leaves. They can be treated with a natural bacterial pesticide. These are non-toxic to people and pets.

To combat these insects, you can use a hose or spray them with insecticidal soap. For heavy infestations, you may need to use stronger pesticides.

Another way to prevent pests is to use plants with repellent properties. Some people use dracaenas, a tropical plant with good repellent properties.

The best way to control houseplant pests is to have a good plant care regimen. Plants that are healthy and resistant to infestations will survive the attack.

In order to keep plants healthy, you can avoid using chemicals by using organic pesticides. Organic insecticides include diatomaceous earth powder, rotenone, insecticidal soap, and rubbing alcohol.